Destruction Road

Chapter 2

The last thing Tom Orchard was expecting on his lunch break was a visit at work from a police officer.

"Tom Orchard?"

"Yes Officer?"

"I'm Officer Clark. I need to speak to you. Is there some place we can go?"

"Sure, we can go into this meeting room."

Tom got up and headed for the room across the way from his cubicle.

"What's this about?"

Officer Clark waited until they were in the meeting room with the door closed to speak.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news for you Tom."

"What is it?"

Officer Clark could hear the terror in Tom's voice. He hated this part of the job but someone had to do it.

"I'm terribly sorry to tell you that your wife and child have been killed."

"What? What happened?"

"My wife was pregnant. What about the baby?"

"I'm sorry. The baby did not survive either."

Tom wanted to ask more but could no longer find the words. He slumped, then fell back against the wall and sank to the floor. In a weak voice he asked, "What happened?"

"Your wife was assaulted by gunfire while driving. The shooting resulted in her losing control of the vehicle, and it tumbling end over end along the freeway on-ramp resulting in their death. I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Tom shook his head and continued to sob into his folded arms, rocking back and forth.

"You're sure there's nothing I can..."

"You can go. Thanks for coming to tell me in person."

"Yes sir."

Officer Clark took out his card and placed it on the floor next to Tom.

"Please take my card. Call me if you need anything. We'll be in touch. I'll need you to come identify the bodies."

Tom nodded but said nothing. Officer Clark squeezed Tom's shoulder and then left him to grieve. Tom spent another few minutes trying to stop crying but it was no use, so he decided he didn't care who saw him. It was all he could do to hold it together until the call was over and he could get outside. Why had he forgotten his cell phone at home again? It was torturous not being able to get up and walk away from the ear shot of his co-workers before absolutely losing it. As soon as he passed through the doorway into the brisk blue afternoon air, tears began to flow and indefinable sounds tumbled out of his mouth in quick bursts.

How could this be true? Things like this don't happen!

All of his lunch soon found its way onto the rough gray pavement, and he lurched down as it flew out in wet hot chunks. He made sure it had all come out, and then walked off the sidewalk into the bushes to sit with his back against the building's chilled exterior wall. He just needed a minute to take control of himself before he made some calls.

You need to be the one to let them know.

After he was able to stop crying out loud, he wiped his eyes and walked to his car. He couldn't feel anything. Everything was just numb.

He needed to get to a phone where he could break the news to his parents and in-laws, without everyone else listening in. He drove with a wild anxiety, blowing through red lights and turning corners at speeds that made his tires squeal. A part of him wanted to join his family. Maybe he could get in an accident too; then he wouldn't have to go through this life without them. It sounded like a better option. He made it home marking each place he could turn that would end it, but he relented just as the pain increased.